As recently submitted, organized religion of any sort has essentially fallen from America’s grace. Lack of money, lack of resourcing, lack of foresight and certainly, lack of vision has stalled the once sacred tradition, ‘going to church’ and put it in the backseat.
So, what of the Pope’s newly released resignation? And, how is the Catholic Church relating to this chaos?
The gap between the church's hierarchy and its flock in America runs much wider. According to an earlier Gallup poll, majorities of Catholics found divorce, pre-marital sex, stem-cell research, out-of-wedlock births, the death penalty and homosexual relations morally acceptable. Church doctrine, of course, says otherwise. Even those who said they went to church regularly were more liberal in their views on these issues than non-Catholic church attendees. In a more explicit criticism of the church's leaders in America, most Catholics say they would prefer their bishops talk about social justice than things like abortion
*www.theeconomist.com/the/popes/resignation/do/American/catholics/care
The idea to contemporary America of a geriatric and frail man overseeing the saintly works of other delicate and brittle men seems rather trite and not without a touch of ‘Once Upon a Time’ in the Vatican.
Roughly 10% of Americans that were raised catholic have somehow redefined their beliefs and no longer attend to the obedience that strict Catholic’s follow.
So, as Pope Benedict XVI bows out with some fan fair; the question remains do we really need a pope? Centuries ago, when Monarchs came and went and sparred with each other the hand of the father stepped in. Guidance of a spiritual and infallible nature was most likely needed, hence, the knight in Papal armor.
However, those were the not so good old days. In 2013, with the winds of scientific advancement always blowing, minds opening instead of shutting, the increased ability amongst the nations to liberate and communicate with each other; infallibility and direction is seen as a not necessary household item.
Put plainly, as the church slowly loses its hold over the obedient few that are left. As the next Pope sends his prayers and thoughts, yet, no longer dictates his wishes, American’s may soon realize that to put an end to blind obedience is to give birth to our ability to rationalize and think for ourselves.
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